Younghusband brothers decline Indonesian football club offer

The Younghusband brothers talk about their decision to decline an Indonesian club’s offer in an interview with Rick Olivares on January 13.

Filipino-British players James and Phil Younghusband of the Azkals declined to join the Jakarta Football Club that reportedly offered them an $8,000 monthly salary, a $24,000 signing bonus and more incentives. The brothers arrived at the decision after "a week of soul searching," Rick Olivares, the Philippine football team’s media officer and a Business Mirror columnist, reported yesterday.

"Was it difficult? Just a bit. But our priority is the Philippine national team and our football academy," Olivares quoted James as saying. Phil added, "We had to make sure that our family, friends and business partners were on board on this. There were complications that did not make it perfect... This doesn’t mean we’re closing the door on future offers... It just has to be perfect."

Not sanctioned by FIFA, the Jakarta Football Club is "a member of the breakaway National Football Indonesia Reform Movement," wrote Olivares. Jakarta Globe reported on January 11 that the Younghusband siblings "are likely to sign a deal this week" with the Indonesian club.